On Friday, the radical global trans movement took a big hit.
According to a report by ESPN, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced that trans-identified biological males will no longer be eligible to compete in the female category and will instead have a separate category called men/open. This means that they will now race against individuals who share their biological sex, while still maintaining their identification as trans. The new regulations are set to take effect on Monday.
The UCI released an official statement to announce these changes:
At an extraordinary meeting held on 5 July, the Management Committee of the UCI decided to adapt the current UCI rules on the right of female transgender athletes to take part in competitions on the UCI International Calendar.
From now on, female transgender athletes who have transitioned after [male] puberty will be prohibited from participating in women’s events on the UCI International Calendar — in all categories — in the various disciplines.
ESPN notes that the UCI organization had previously permitted biological men with lowered testosterone levels to participate in female events. However, after American athlete Austin Killips became the first biological man to win a UCI women’s stage race this year, the UCI agreed to reevaluate its regulations. This development prompted the organization to reconsider its rules and make necessary revisions.
In a statement, UCI president David Lappartient aimed to find a middle ground by acknowledging the importance of respecting individuals’ “gender identity” while simultaneously emphasizing the need to uphold the integrity of female sports.
First of all, the UCI would like to reaffirm that cycling – as a competitive sport, leisure activity or means of transport – is open to everyone, including transgender people, whom we encourage like everyone else to take part in our sport.
I would also like to reaffirm that the UCI fully respects and supports the right of individuals to choose the sex that corresponds to their gender identity, whatever sex they were assigned at birth.
However, it has a duty to guarantee, above all, equal opportunities for all competitors in cycling competitions.
It is this imperative that led the UCI to conclude that, given the current state of scientific knowledge does not guarantee such equality of opportunity between transgender female athletes and cisgender female participants, it was not possible, as a precautionary measure, to authorise the former to race in the female categories.
According to the Associated Press, governing bodies in track and field, as well as swimming, have implemented regulations that prohibit athletes who have undergone male puberty from participating in international women’s events. This decision signifies a return to sanity.
